Text by Şevket F. Erbay
Through by years, deeply-rooted South American age group meetings have staged to impressive beginnings by mighty future champions. Lots of continental stars have been blossomed there before exploding on the global scene.
Joaquim Cruz had been amazed all over the World by taking Brazil’s first Olympic gold in a track event as taking 800 metres title in Los Angeles 1984 Games. He masterfully clocked 1:43.00 Olympic record in the Coliseum by beating Seb Coe while turned his nation crazy.
Cruz, born in Taguatinga in mid-south Brazil, actually drew attention first time in South American Youth (under 17 in that time instead of later change of U-18). He proved his strength and competitiveness by winning four gold medals in three days at South American U17 Champs held in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
MARGINAL WINS
It might be a lowly attended event, but 16-year old Joaquim Cruz was still quite impressive on track. Arriving Cochabamba as three-time title defender from 1978, Cruz had four races in three days, won all of them. In his opening contest, he easily beat Venezuelan talent Douglas Murillo in 400 metres by clocking 48.3 at the finish, which would stand as championship record until 2000. Following that victory, he went to win second gold in 1500 metres by clocking 4:15.5, more than seven seconds clearance over team-mate, Carlos de Oliveira.
Not yet finished the job, Joachim Cruz added his medal tally two more golds in the last day of the event: 800 metres and 4x400 metres. Joaquim defended his 800 metres South American Youth title after finishing the race brilliant effort of 1:58.6, especially thinking about 2500 metres altitude – once again built a formidable margin over runner-up by four seconds.
With four gold at the bag in return flight to Brazil from colourful Cochabamba, Joaquim Cruz impressed everybody as a future star. He collected more age-group medals until 1980, then turned a global star with World and Olympic medals in the mid-80s.
